Tukon Chapel: A promise satisfied in Basco, Batanes

When they were still alive, his parents dreamed of a chapel to which they might just walk. The nearest church then was the Basco Cathedral, more formally understood as the Santo Domingo de Guzman Cathedral, which was three kilometers away. They did not make it long sufficient to see the chapel, however their son, Batanes representative Florencio “Butch” Abad, was able to make that vision a reality.

The Abads are the most prominent as well as the most powerful household in Batanes. They held many political posts in the province for decades. Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge, a high-end resort hotel nestled in a close-by hill, likewise belongs to the clan. It was they who spearheaded the project, however the neighborhood contributed a great deal to the construction of the church that it likewise becomes a showcase of the building custom as well as innovative skill of the locals.

Tukon Church is likewise understood as Mt. Carmel Chapel
Local craftsmen, masons as well as carpenters developed the church, whose design is influenced by the traditional Ivatan stone homes (stacking as well as bonding boulders to make a wall). Architects Joven Ignacio as well as Tina Turralba assisted total the design.

Covering the ceiling are big pictures of the customer saints standing in front of the churches of the six municipalities of Batanes, painted by scholars of the Pacita Abad center for the Arts. The discolored glass windows as well as the hardwood pews are contributions from the Abads’ good friends as well as family.

The walls are made from boulders, built in traditional Ivatan fashion.
Inside Tukon Chapel

Stained glass behind the chapel’s primary crucifix
Ivatan artists painted pictures of the province’s customer saints on the ceiling.
The church was officially opened on 3 may 2008, in time for the wedding event of Rep. Abad’s child Julia, who is likewise the  Presidential chief of Staff, married Englishman Andrew Parker.

Tukon chapel sits humbly atop a foothill, an eye-catcher made from stone as though offered by the greenery to the restless skies. Tukon means “mountain” in the Ivatan language, an apt name as it covers generally tough terrain that lies in the shadow of Mt. Iraya. From here, one can admire the mischievous waves of both the West Philippine Sea as well as the roaring Pacific.

How to get to Tukon Chapel: From Basco Airport, Tukon chapel is just a tricycle trip away. It is one of the stops of the North Batan tour (P1000 per tricycle, great for 2pax). Our tricycle driver-slash-guide was Dale Veracruz, +63 929 341 0941.

More tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Related Posts:

Paoay Church: A UNESCO Heritage site in Ilocos Norte, Philippines

5 Heritage sites to see in SILAY CITY, Negros Occidental

LIPA CATHEDRAL: The Metropolitan Cathedral of San Sebastian

TAAL HERITAGE TOWN, BATANGAS: A diy Sightseeing walking tour

5 Must-See locations in Laoang Island, northern Samar: A Motorcycle tour

Marlboro Country: Racuh a Payaman, Batanes

The 3 Lighthouses of Batanes: Basco, Tayid, as well as Sabtang

4 extraordinary beaches in the Philippines to Visit